Doctors Rebuild Spine of 13-Year-Old TB Patient at Karaikal GH
Karaikal Government Hospital, in collaboration with specialists from Jipmer–Karaikal, have successfully reconstructed the spine of a 13-year-old girl from Poompuhar in Mayiladuthurai district, who had been left disabled by advanced spinal tuberculosis.
Karaikal Government Hospital, in collaboration with specialists from Jipmer–Karaikal, have successfully reconstructed the spine of a 13-year-old girl from Poompuhar in Mayiladuthurai district, who had been left disabled by advanced spinal tuberculosis.
The girl had been suffering from persistent back pain for nearly a year and was initially treated with local medicines. Ten months ago, investigations at the hospital confirmed spinal tuberculosis affecting the L3 and L4 vertebrae. By then, pus formation and severe bone erosion had caused the L4 vertebra to collapse, leaving her unable to walk.
“She had reached an advanced stage where the infection had been cured under the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme with anti-tuberculosis therapy, but the bone erosion had destabilised the spine. Without surgery, her condition would only worsen,” said N. Arulkumar, Assistant Professor of Orthopaedics and Trauma, Jipmer–Karaikal, who led the surgical team.
Karaikal Government Hospital, in collaboration with specialists from Jipmer–Karaikal, have successfully reconstructed the spine of a 13-year-old girl from Poompuhar in Mayiladuthurai district, who had been left disabled by advanced spinal tuberculosis.
A 13-year-old girl had been experiencing persistent back pain for nearly a year and was initially treated with local remedies. Ten months ago, tests at the Karaikal Government Hospital revealed spinal tuberculosis affecting the L3 and L4 vertebrae. By that time, pus accumulation and severe bone erosion had caused the L4 vertebra to collapse, leaving her unable to walk.
“She was in an advanced stage. Although the infection had been brought under control with anti-tuberculosis treatment under the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme, the damage to her spine had already caused instability. Without surgical intervention, her condition would have continued to deteriorate,” said Dr. N. Arulkumar, Assistant Professor of Orthopaedics and Trauma at JIPMER–Karaikal, who led the surgical team.
The procedure was carried out by a team including Dr. G. Bhuvanesh and Dr. B. Vinoth Prabhu, with anaesthesia managed by Dr. K. Suresh, Dr. S. Omprakash, and Dr. K. R. Visalatchi.
The doctors performed spinal decompression and osteotomy, removing the damaged vertebra, inserting a cage filled with bone graft, and stabilising the spine with pedicle screws. “This restored stability, prevented further collapse, and gave her the chance to regain mobility,” Mr. Arulkumar explained.
Post-surgery recovery has been encouraging. Within a month, the girl has regained nearly 90% mobility and returned to school. “From being unable to walk, she can now lead an almost normal life. She will need to avoid heavy weight-bearing for six months, but her long-term prospects are good,” Mr. Arulkumar said.
He cautioned that spinal tuberculosis in children often goes undetected. “Unlike pulmonary TB, skeletal TB silently erodes bone and can cause permanent deformity if diagnosed late. Early detection and treatment are critical,” he added.
Hospital’s medical superintendent S. Kannagi said the hospital now had the infrastructure to handle such complex procedures.